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Missile test stop, JCPOA connection ruled out

Senior member of Iran nuclear negotiations team Abbass Araqchi says stop of the missile tests has nothing to do with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), IRNA reported.

Speaking in the Majlis Foreign Policy and National Security Commission session on Sunday that was dedicated to the JCPOA, Araqchi said, 'Our missile tests is not the concern of the Resolution 2231; the tests might have been stopped for some other good reasons but none of them has anything to do with the JCPOA.'

He also said Iranian Foreign Ministry has no sensitivity to present a bill on the JCPOA to the Majlis.

To a question on any possible connection between the JCPOA and Majlis, he said there are two points of view on a link.

Certain groups, Araqchi added, resort to articles 77 and 125 of the Constitution, asking for presentation of a bill on the JCPOA to Majlis and its approval, while others on ample grounds believe the JCPOA needs not be endorsed by Majlis.

However, politically speaking, he said, there should be a balance between commitments of Iran and of the G5+1, the JCPOA consideration in Majlis will add to Iran's commitments-something that is not consistent with the JCPOA spirit, that is observing the balance. 'However, we do not feel any sensitivity to submit the JCPOA bill.'

He said comparing the resolutions 2231 and 1921 will show to what extent limitations were set for Iran militarily.

'Absolutely, the Resolution 1921 restrictions are times beyond those of the Resolution 2231. This means we managed to scale down the strength of sanctions, i.e. replacing ban with limitation.'

Considering the JCPOA as the basis, it will become clear that it has nothing to do with the Resolution 2231, said the official, adding, 'This means that the arms embargo envisioned by the Resolution 2231 has nothing to do with the JCPOA. Furthermore, the arms embargo that is the subject of Resolution 2231, is not binding and we can skip its implementation.'

'By the way, lifting of the arms embargo has never been part of our red lines. The Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution also has declared that the first priority is elimination of sanctions, economic and financial restrictions. Other sanctions should be lifted in intervals. '

As for the joint commission, he said, 'It is a body for settlement of Iran-G5+1 disputes. The commission will per Annex 4 have working group(s) to help iron out likely disputes among countries. The commission's members are Iran, the EU and the G5+1. The commission approvals are on the basis of consensus.'

As for SWIFT, he said it is both against Iranian banks and individuals, both legal and real entities. He said 800 legal and real entities are freed from SWIFT restrictions and only about 240 legal and real entities are still within the scope of concern of SWIFT and Iran is not an exception.

To the end of his remarks, Araqchi said, 'Iran's model had already been observed in the case of other countries. India, Japan, Brazil, and Argentine are the instances. For example, at a juncture, 25 percent of the budget of the International Atomic Energy Agency was spent on inspection of Japan. The reason was concern over Japan's record of militarism.'